West Angeles Church pastor Charles E. Blake received an honorary doctorate from the California State University Board of Trustees. Bishop Blake received the degree at Cal State L.A.'s commencement ceremony on June 12.

Bishop Blake has been vital to CSU's efforts to reach out into the African American community in Southern California. In 2005, at the request of CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed, Blake convened community, civic, business and education leaders at his church to develop new ways to educate K-12 students, parents and families about the value of a college degree to ensure a stable future.

As a result of this meeting, the CSU's African American Initiative was created. Over the last five years the initiative has grown to include Super Sunday events at more than 100 predominantly African American churches across the state, the Super Saturday College Fair, and Summer Algebra Institutes held at the churches for seventh and eighth graders.

"Bishop Blake demonstrates locally, nationally and internationally a noteworthy example of leadership that seeks to build a more compassionate and caring society," said Herbert L. Carter, chair of the CSU Board of Trustees.

Bishop Blake is the pastor of the West Angeles Church and serves as the presiding bishop of the Church of God in Christ, a six-million member nationwide denomination. He is also the founder and CEO of Save Africa's Children, a program that serves more than 100,000 children in 20 nations in Africa.